Is this Greater Manchester’s strangest sporting tradition?

Greater Manchester is a place rich in heritage, with its fascinating industrial past, iconic cultural landmarks, music, arts, and incredible people.

Full of great history, tradition – some great, some well – a bit strange.

Out near Bury, in Ramsbottom, is a centuries-old rivalry that, once a year, erupts in the most bizarre of battles.

Forget football or cricket. City vs United? Nah. Lancs vs Yorkshire? Give over.

In Ramsbottom, it’s all about The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships.

The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships

Yes, you read that right—two iconic foods from rival counties go head-to-head in what might just be Greater Manchester’s strangest tradition: the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships.

Taking place annually outside The Oaks pub in Ramsbottom, this quirky competition sees participants hurl black puddings at a towering stack of Yorkshire puddings, perched atop a 20-foot-high plinth.

Competitors have just three underhand throws, or “hurls”, to knock down as many Yorkshire puddings as possible.

It’s a test of skill, precision, and… well, a sense of humour, really.

There’s no other contest quite like it in the world.

What’s the legend behind the story?

The Yorkshire-Lancashire rivalry is as old as time—or at least as old as the Wars of the Roses, if local legend is to be believed.

According to the tale, back in 1455 during one particularly heated battle, the soldiers of the House of York and House of Lancaster found themselves running low on ammunition.

So, in a burst of resourcefulness (and, presumably, frustration), they turned to the food they had on hand: the Lancastrians hurled black puddings at their enemies, while the Yorkists retaliated with Yorkshire puddings.

As with many traditions, the exact origins of this pudding war are murky, but who cares about historical accuracy when you’ve got a crowd of people cheering for flying sausages and batter?

What began as a local myth has evolved into an eccentric and beloved event that draws thousands of spectators each year.

Revived in 1984 by the Stubbins Community Trust, the competition has become a staple of Ramsbottom’s calendar, even drawing competitors from as far afield as Australia and Turkey.

A War Reimagined, with Puddings

For those unfamiliar with the humble black pudding, it’s a traditional blood sausage originating from Lancashire—dense, savoury, and with a flavour that’s a source of pride for the region.

Yorkshire puddings, on the other hand, are light, crispy batter creations, usually served alongside a roast dinner.

Pitting these two culinary icons against each other is symbolic of the historic rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Only now, instead of fighting on the battlefield, they’re going head-to-head in a far less violent, much more enjoyable way.

While the event’s history may be steeped in folklore, the competitive spirit is very real.

The rules of black pudding throwing

On a street packed with eager spectators, the tension mounts as competitors prepare to take their shot at a towering shelf of Yorkshire puddings, 30 feet in the air. But despite the fun and chaos, there are some clear rules to follow for those brave enough to participate in the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships:

1. The Oche: Competitors must stand with one foot on the toe line, known as the oche, a golden-painted iron grid. This marks the official throwing spot from which all participants must launch their black pudding missiles.
2. The Throw: Here’s where tradition meets technique—overarm throwing is strictly prohibited. All throws must be underarm, or more specifically, a “gentle lob.” The black puddings must be hurled with a flick of the wrist to arc gracefully (or not so gracefully) towards the towering pile of Yorkshire puddings.
3. The Aim: The challenge is simple in theory but deceptively tricky in practice: competitors have three chances to knock down as many Yorkshire puddings as possible from the top of a 20-foot-high scaffold. The puddings are stacked in a pile, and each competitor’s goal is to clear the most with a single hurl.
4. Attempts: Each participant gets three throws per round. It’s all about quantity over quality—consistency is key. However, one well-placed shot can catapult you to the top of the leaderboard.
5. No Mulligans: While some competitors might accidentally launch a pudding backwards or send it flying into the crowd (which happens more than you’d expect), there are no do-overs. Every throw counts, even the wild ones.
6. The Winner: Victory is awarded to the competitor who manages to knock down the most Yorkshire puddings in a single throw. If there’s a tie, a throw-off may be held to determine the champion.

With no protective gear needed—aside from perhaps an umbrella to shield the crowd from wayward puddings—the rules may be simple, but mastering the technique is anything but.

Winners across the years

The competition has seen its fair share of drama and upsets over the years.

Legendary winners like local hero Ste Thornley, the enigmatic Australian Jim Riley, and Turkish competitor Huseyin Ozluk, who claimed victory in both 2009 and 2013, have all left their mark on this peculiar sport.

Most recently, in 2024, Harry Ogden joined the pantheon of pudding-hurling legends.

But whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a first-timer, it’s all in good fun, with the real winners being the local charities that benefit from the proceeds.

A festive atmosphere, puddings and all

What makes the World Black Pudding Hurling Championships truly special is the atmosphere.

Held on the second Sunday of September, the event transforms Ramsbottom into a bustling festival, with food stalls, live music, and, naturally, plenty of black puddings to go around.

It’s a day where the normally quiet streets of the town are filled with laughter, cheering, and the occasional splatter of a misfired pudding.

Spectators come from far and wide, some in traditional attire, others in novelty pudding-themed costumes, adding to the carnival vibe.

For one day, a small corner of Greater Manchester becomes the epicentre of this delightful culinary feud, bringing together both Lancastrians and Yorkshiremen (and women) in a celebration of heritage, humour, and, above all, community.

Keeping tradition alive

What started as a local oddity has now become a much-anticipated annual event.

It may not be for everyone, but for those who attend, it’s a highlight of the year.

So, is this Greater Manchester’s weirdest tradition? Quite possibly.

But it’s also a fun nod to the enduring rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire, a story passed down through generations and retold each year in the most delightfully absurd way.

Whether you come for the spectacle, the competition, or simply to say you’ve witnessed a 500-year-old food fight, the black pudding hurling event offers something for everyone.

And who knows? You might just find yourself picking up a black pudding and joining the ranks of those who’ve turned a bit of local history into an unforgettable experience.